Still Life, written by Alex London and illustrated by Paul O. Zelensky. Greenwillow Books, Harper. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"A still life might have a thimble 
with needle and thread. 
A pen and an inkwell resting on 
a piece of paper. 

Shadows stay where the light 
throws them. 

In a still life, nothing moves. " 

As much as caregivers will enjoy reading this book, their listeners will not be able to contain their joy in hearing it. The artist is bent on explaining just exactly what a still life is, sharing that nothing moves in it. By giving the explanation full attention, observant listeners will note that what the painter is saying is absolutely not true. 

The objects that are collected to be painted are not meant to move at all. Items gathered are an interesting bunch - a thimble, needle and thread, a piece of cheese and spreader, a jam pot, a candle with a flickering flame, and plates and bowls that hold fruits and vegetables. As listeners follow the spoken text and keep their eyes keenly focused on the tableau in front of them, they will begin to notice tiny differences. They are not likely to contain themselves; soon, they will be shouting that it is, indeed, not a still life. 

Sure to see the tiny mouse ears that appear behind the cheese, they will want the painter to know. What is real and what is art? The mice make their presence known in the spilled jam and sticky footprints that track across the cheese and its plate. They are not the only characters to appear. Soon, a dragon makes its way across the table with a knight following closely behind it. That is not the end of their story. 

As the painter explains what is NOT happening, readers and listeners can see that he is decidedly wrong! So much is happening here. It's a great book for helping young readers understand that things they hear are not always true. It's funny and full of entertainment while also trying its best to explain an artist's interpretation of one art form. Paul O. Zelensky perfectly complements the text with elaborate artwork in varied visuals that are full of fun and very detailed to keep the audience involved in every turn of the page. Lovely to see a book that is so successful at showing opposing points of view. Bravo!